Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Irradiation Technician

🎯 Role Definition

An Irradiation Technician operates and maintains industrial irradiation equipment (gamma, electron-beam, or X-ray) to apply specified absorbed doses to products for sterilization, material modification, or research. The role requires strict adherence to radiation safety (ALARA), regulatory compliance (NRC/state, DOT, 21 CFR/ISO 11137/GMP where applicable), detailed process and quality documentation, and close collaboration with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Operations to ensure on-time, safe, and compliant irradiation processing.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Technician or Manufacturing Operator with radiation exposure experience
Maintenance Technician with mechanical/electrical background
Laboratory Technician or Quality Control Technician with sample handling experience

Advancement To:

Senior Irradiation Technician / Lead Technician
Irradiation Supervisor / Shift Lead
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or Health Physics Specialist
Operations or Plant Manager

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance / Quality Control Technician
Calibration / Metrology Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate industrial irradiation equipment (gamma irradiators, electron-beam accelerators, or X-ray systems) safely and efficiently, including routine startup, controlled irradiation runs, scheduled shutdowns, and emergency shutdowns, while following all SOPs and manufacturer procedures.
Load and unload product into irradiation fixtures, conveyors, pallets, or racks ensuring correct orientation, spacing, and shielding to achieve uniform dose distribution and comply with customer specifications and contract paperwork.
Execute and validate irradiation process parameters to meet target absorbed doses using calibrated dosimetry systems (alanine, TLD, radiochromic films, MOSFETs), record dose mapping data, and coordinate with QA for dose verification and release.
Monitor radiation levels, system interlocks, environmental controls, and process alarms continuously via SCADA/HMI/PLC systems; take corrective action and report anomalies immediately to supervisors and RSO.
Maintain complete and accurate process records, batch logs, dose reports, chain-of-custody documentation, and deviation records in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 11137, GMP, 21 CFR).
Perform preventative maintenance and routine mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic checks on irradiation equipment and ancillary systems (conveyors, shielding, doors, transport systems), escalate complex repairs to maintenance or vendor support.
Calibrate, prepare, deploy, and retrieve dosimeters and dosimetry trays for both routine production and validation/qualification runs; interpret dosimetry results and support dose traceability.
Apply radiation safety principles (ALARA), maintain controlled area boundaries, enforce access controls, and verify that PPE, signage, and shielding are in place and functioning per RSO direction and regulatory standards.
Conduct daily area surveys, contamination checks, and personal dosimeter checks; log survey results and escalate excursions for investigation and corrective action.
Participate in equipment qualification and validation activities, including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) documentation and execution.
Support quality systems by following and contributing to SOPs, work instructions, change control, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and internal/external audit responses.
Coordinate product receipt, staging, quarantine, and release with Warehouse and QA teams to maintain product identity and chain of custody throughout the irradiation process.
Troubleshoot equipment and process issues using established diagnostics, wiring schematics, PLC logic, and vendor manuals; document root cause analysis and corrective actions taken.
Safely handle, store, and, when applicable, move radioactive materials or sources in conformance with NRC/state regulations and company policies; assist with source transfer or reloading under RSO supervision.
Train and mentor new technicians on irradiation operations, radiation protection procedures, emergency shutdowns, and documentation practices; maintain training records for the team.
Participate in emergency response drills for radiation incidents, mechanical failures, and fire/evacuation scenarios; know location and use of emergency equipment and reporting protocols.
Support throughput optimization by recommending improvements to workflows, product fixturing, and load planning while maintaining dose uniformity and safety requirements.
Interface with customers and internal stakeholders to review special processing requirements, product specifications, and release criteria; prepare processing estimates and lead-time inputs as needed.
Implement and adhere to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs, including hazard assessments, toolbox talks, near-miss reporting, and waste handling related to irradiation operations.
Maintain and control spare parts inventory for critical irradiator components, coordinate vendor spare shipments, and ensure availability for scheduled maintenance and outages.
Monitor and document utilities that affect irradiation performance (e.g., cooling systems, power quality, vacuum systems), escalate issues impacting production or safety immediately.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by collecting process metrics, proposing data-driven changes, and participating in Kaizen/5S events to improve safety, quality, and productivity.

Secondary Functions

Assist Quality Assurance with sample retrieval and archive activities, including chain-of-custody and disposition of retention samples.
Prepare and package irradiated product for return shipment or transfer to downstream processing while preserving product release documentation.
Participate in regulatory inspections and prepare records, as directed by QA or the RSO, providing factual operational details and historical log support.
Enter and maintain process and dose data in LIMS, ERP, or other tracking systems to ensure traceability and data integrity.
Support cross-functional projects such as installation of new equipment, layout changes, or process validations to expand services or improve capacity.
Perform basic welding, fabrication, or mechanical adjustments under supervision to support jigs, fixtures, or containment repairs as needed.
Maintain housekeeping and contamination control programs within the irradiation cell and associated staging areas to meet regulatory and QA expectations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven operation of industrial irradiators (gamma, electron-beam, or X-ray) and familiarity with associated safety interlocks, shielding, and source handling procedures.
Radiation safety and health physics competence: ALARA principles, area classification, contamination monitoring, personal dosimetry, and controlled access procedures.
Practical experience with dosimetry types and dose mapping: alanine dosimeters, TLDs, radiochromic film, and electronic dosimeters; ability to interpret dose reports.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and standards: NRC/state requirements, DOT shipping rules for radioactive materials, ISO 11137, GMP, and 21 CFR where applicable.
Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills including PLC/HMI familiarity, SCADA systems, motor controls, sensors, and conveyor systems.
Quality systems knowledge: SOPs, CAPA, change control, nonconformance handling, and audit readiness.
Experience using LIMS, ERP, CMMS (maintenance systems), or electronic batch records to record process and quality data.
Ability to perform equipment qualification and validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and support requalification after maintenance or changes.
Training and documentation skills for creating and maintaining work instructions, safety procedures, and process logs.
Forklift and material handling competence, pallet handling, and fixture loading techniques to maintain product integrity during processing.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and methodical documentation habits to ensure compliance and traceability.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to diagnose equipment and process deviations quickly.
Clear verbal and written communication for shift handovers, incident reporting, and cross-functional coordination.
Team player mindset and ability to work under supervision and independently during shifts.
High situational awareness and calmness under pressure, especially during alarms or emergency events.
Continuous improvement orientation with willingness to suggest and lead process enhancements.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a production environment with tight deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED required; vocational/technical certificate in industrial maintenance, electronics, or radiation technology preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Radiation Technology, Health Physics, Nuclear Technology, Mechanical/Electrical Technology, or related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Radiation Technology / Health Physics
Nuclear Engineering Technology
Mechanical or Electrical Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
Quality Assurance or Laboratory Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in irradiation operations, production, or industrial maintenance environments.

Preferred:

3+ years of direct irradiation facility experience (gamma/e-beam/X-ray) with demonstrated competence in dosimetry, radiation safety, and process documentation.
Prior exposure to regulated manufacturing environments (medical device, pharmaceutical, food irradiation) and familiarity with ISO 11137 or GMP/21 CFR is highly desirable.
Certifications such as Radiation Safety training, RSO coursework, OSHA, forklift, or relevant technical licensure are a plus.